“Electrifying,” said Poway High football coach Damian Gonzalez and lacrosse coach Zack Burke.

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Sharpe is also very elusive.

In football, he had a 90-yard interception return against Torrey Pines, a 63-yard punt return against Carlsbad and a 47-yard reception against Valley Center. He also had three punt returns for TDs called back by penalties in that Valley Center game.

But lacrosse will be his sport as he moves on, signing to play for Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I.

“If Ryan gets the ball on his stick, he’s going to score,” said Burke. “The same moves he uses as a punt returner in football work in lacrosse.

“He brings that football attacking style to our sport. He brings a toughness and work ethic. And he brings a team and family mentality that really helps us.”

Q: How did you get turned on to lacrosse?

A: In the eighth grade, a friend suggested I try it. I hesitated at first, but once I tried it, I stuck with it.

Q: What is it that you like?

A: There is no down time. You’re always moving. You get the ball and go.

Q: Do you consider yourself a football player who plays lacrosse or a lacrosse player who plays football?

A: I really don’t know. They’re both physical, contact sports. Foot quickness is huge in lacrosse. And good vision helps a lot. Those are big in football, too.

Q: Are there other similarities between the sports?

A: Camaraderie is the big thing. A football mentality helps in lacrosse. Football is all about contact. In lacrosse, people are hesitant to hit. You kind of pick and choose who and when to hit someone.

Q: What do you like best about football?

A: Hitting people.

Q: What do you like best about lacrosse?

A: You have to be on the same page with all your teammates. If one guy screws up, it will end badly for the team.

Q: Watching you play football, it appears you have great vision. Is that natural or did you work on it?

A: It’s natural. I was a running back in Pop Warner and realized I had the gift of great vision. I set up my moves because I can see what’s developing. I don’t have to think things over. Great vision is very beneficial.

Q: How about quickness? Is that natural or did you have to work on it?

A: Both. I’ve always been fairly quick. But my older brother (quarterback Nick Sharpe, who played at Poway and is now playing at Humboldt State) got me involved in ladder work, a drill that’s designed to develop quick feet.

Q: Zack Burke says you’re an attacking player. Is that a football thing or a lacrosse thing?

A: In football, you have to be physical. If not, you lose. So football has helped me so much in lacrosse.